Set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, it is based on Tevye and his Daughters (or Tevye the Milkman) and other tales by Sholem Aleichem.

The story centers on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives. He must cope with both the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters. The choice of husband each daughter makes is a movement further away from the customs of her faith. Tevye must also cope with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.